Veteran England fast bowler James Anderson is fit and bowling well in the nets but won’t play in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane, wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler has said. Buttler said that the 39-year-old Anderson has been rested for the match as a “precautionary measure” with the second Test being a day-night fixture and the long series ahead.

“Jimmy is not going to play but he is fit,” Buttler told reporters in Brisbane on Tuesday.

“He was bowling again today … had a few spells in the truncated match. (It’s) just a precautionary measure with an incredibly long series ahead.”

Pressed on whether Anderson was always going to be rested, Buttler said: “All I’ve seen is Jimmy has been bowling and bowling well… He looks good to me but sorry I can’t answer that question.”

Buttler said that fast bowler Stuart Broad and all-rounder Ben Stokes were both fit and available for selection.

He said Stokes, who has had a long break from the game and struggled with a finger problem, would be able to bowl a normal workload.

“Ben is fit to play. He’s been performing very nicely in the nets. It’s a massive plus for us as a side,” said Buttler.

While Australia revealed their playing XI for the first Test at the Gabba, England have kept their squad under the wraps. England captain Joe Root denied playing “mind games” with Australia on Monday even as he remained tightlipped about his playing XI.

England are bidding to win the Ashes in Australia for the first time since claiming a 3-1 victory in the 2010/11 series.

“I’m not into mind games. I’m just not in a position right now to name our team. The fact they’ve named their 11 doesn’t really concern me or change anything from our perspective. We’ll conduct our business how we want to and let you know when we’re ready,” Root said in his final interaction with the media before the Ashes.